Andre Berto delivers a punch to the face of David Estrada during their NABF welterweight championship fight at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall in September. Berto is one of five fighters to watch in 2009.

In boxing terms, it means the sport's biggest names, pay-per-view attractions and most skilled champions of the last 20 years — most notably Roy Jones and Oscar De La Hoya — are finished even if they haven't officially retired.

Jones was battered in a one-sided loss to Joe Calzaghe in November. De La Hoya was defeated by Manny Pacquiao in the most lopsided loss of his career.

In the recent past, the careers of stars Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Felix Trinidad and Fernando Vargas came to a close, too. Five years ago, the last undisputed heavyweight champion, Lennox Lewis, left while on top.

Evander Holyfield, 46, is still trying to regain the heavyweight title, but his career as an elite fighter has long passed.

So who's next? Outside of Pacquiao, who has plenty of potential foils who can make for intriguing matchups that will draw PPV revenue, the landscape appears barren.

There's Andre Berto, Paul Williams, Sergio Martinez and Chad Dawson to name a few. All are exceptional talents. Whether they can be attractions, however, has yet to be determined.

"Manny Pacquiao clearly has the 'it' factor. He has such a professional charm," says Ross Greenburg, president of HBO Sports. "These (other) guys are gifted in the ring. Whether they can capture the rest of it and become charismatic outside the ring, it's up to them.

"You have to have certain showmanship and exceptional talent. You have to have some kind of energy that really sets you apart from the rest. Ray Leonard had it, Oscar De La Hoya had it, Mike Tyson had it. What is it? Once you see it, you'll know. There's a magical halo that circles around that fighter."

Five to watch in 2009

Andre Berto

Last time out: Sept. 27, won a 12-round decision vs. Stevie Forbes.

Inside the ropes: Looks spectacular, especially with his combination punching. Still has yet to face a serious puncher. If he has the chin to sustain, it will make for great matchups.

Chad Dawson

Last time out: Oct. 11, won a 12-round decision vs. Antonio Tarver.

Inside the ropes: Dawson is rarely in a bad fight. Even though Joe Calzaghe is the linear champion at 175, Dawson is the most skilled and exciting. Every time he gets hurt, he fights back harder.

Antonio Margarito

Last time out: July 26, an 11th-round KO vs. Miguel Cotto.

Inside the ropes: Now the shot-caller after a signature win vs. then-unbeaten Cotto. Can take a punch as well as give one, but to be undisputed he must set up a rematch with Paul Williams, who owns a 2007 victory vs. the Mexican American. Headed toward Cotto rematch if both win their upcoming fights.

Manny Pacquiao

Last time out: Dec. 6, an eighth-round TKO vs. Oscar De La Hoya.

Inside the ropes: After dominating 2008, winning three fights in three weight classes — junior lightweight, lightweight and welterweight — the Filipino (48-3-2, 36 KOs) probably will drop 7 pounds to 140 to face Hatton, the linear champion who is undefeated at junior welterweight, May 2 on HBO PPV. The bout is not official.

Paul Williams

Last time out: Nov. 29, an eighth-round TKO vs. Verno Phillips.

Inside the ropes: Tentatively scheduled for an April 11 bout vs. Winky Wright on HBO at junior middleweight. Standing 6-1 with an 82-inch reach, Williams recently moved up to 154 pounds because of his inability to land a championship match at welterweight. Defeated Antonio Margarito in 2007 by a close but unanimous decision. Said Williams: "The bottom line is those guys aren't on my level. If you paid them all the money in the world, they won't fight me. Those guys are dead to me. I know it will never happen."

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